UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – EAU CLAIRE RECREATION & SPORT OPERATIONS – INTRAMURAL SPORTS SOFTBALL (Rules not covered are governed by ASA rules) PLAYERS AND ATTIRE Each team will consist of ten (10) players. Team rosters can have a maximum of twenty (20) players. If a single-sex team chooses to use an extra hitter (EH), they will have eleven (11) players; a co-rec team using extra hitters (EH) will have twelve (12) players. Each team must have at least eight (8) players on the field in order to start play; teams must field their own pitchers and catchers Each team shall designate a captain. The captain will act as the spokesperson for the team and make all decisions. Only the captain may talk to officials. Team representatives, including players, spectators, team managers, coaches, score keepers, and group members are subject to these rules. The only persons allowed in the dugout at a given time during a game are the players listed on the team roster, one (1) coach, and one (1) scorekeeper. All fans and other persons must be situated outside of the fencing or in the bleacher area, out of play. Teams are allowed two base-coaches, all players not playing in the field must stay in the dugout. Metal spikes, sandals, and bare feet are not permitted. No smoking will be permitted on any part of the fields or in the dugout. GAME, FIELD, AND EQUIPMENT Baseball bats are not legal. If a batter hits the ball with an illegal bat, it is a dead ball and the batter is out. ASA certified bats can be found at http://softball.org/about/certified_equipment.asp LENGTH OF GAME AND TIME CONSTRAINTS For all games, no new inning will start 50 minutes after the game begins. If the time limit has not passed when the third out of the bottom half of the inning is completed, a new inning will be played. A complete game consists of: 1. Completion of seven (7) innings or 6 ½ innings with the home team winning. 2. Game called on account of weather and one (1) complete inning has been played. 3. Game completed when fifty (50) minute time limit has expired. 4. Game completed in situation of a mercy rule: A. A team is ahead by twelve (12) or more runs at the completion of the fifth inning. B. A team is ahead by twenty (20) or more runs at the completion of the fourth inning. Game time is forfeit time. Teams should be ready to play at the scheduled game time. It is beneficial to have your team arrive 15-20 minutes early to ensure that games start on time and that forfeits be avoided. 1 SUBSTITUTIONS AND TIEBREAKERS A substitute may take the place of a player whose name is in his/her team’s batting order. The following regulations govern the substitution of players: A. The manager or team captain of the team making the substitution shall immediately notify the plate umpire. B. Violation of the re-entry rule results in the use of an ineligible player and is immediately ejected. C. Violation of the re-entry rule is handled as a protest and can be made at any time during the game. D. The illegal substitute is considered in the game if a pitch has been made. E. Substitute players will be considered in the game when reported to the plate umpire. F. Any player may be removed from the game during any dead ball. G. The original player and the substitute may not be in the line up at the same time. H. Once a team goes through the batting order for one full rotation, no additional players may be added to the lineup. Offense: A. If the illegal player is discovered by the defense after one (1) pitch, legal or illegal, has been thrown while he/she is at bat, he/she is ejected and a legal substitute assumes the ball and strike count. B. If the illegal player is discovered by the defense after he/she has completed his/her turn at bat and prior to the next legal or illegal pitch, or before the defensive team has left the field, the illegal player is called “out” and ejected. Any advance from a walk or hit is nullified. C. If the illegal player is discovered by the defense after he/she has completed his/her turn at bat and after the next legal or illegal pitch, or after the defensive team has left the field, the illegal player is ejected and any advance by runners while the illegal batter was at bat is illegal. Defense: A. If the illegal player is discovered by the offense after he/she makes a play prior to the next legal or illegal pitch, or before the defensive team has left the field, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play, or having the last batter re-bat and assume the ball and strike count at which he was, prior to the play. The illegal player is ejected. B. If the illegal player is discovered by the offense after a legal or illegal pitch to the next batter, all plays stand but the illegal player is ejected. The Pitcher: If the pitcher is taken off the mound but remains in the game, he/she may return to the mound any time later in the game. A. If the pitcher is replaced by a substitute, he/she may not pitch again the rest of the game unless due to injury. DEFINITION OF PLAYING TERMS The batter is automatically out and the ball is called dead on any attempted bunt. The batter starts his/her at-bat with a count of one ball and one strike. Any foul ball after two strikes is considered an out. A foul tip is a batted ball that goes directly into the catcher’s glove, is caught by the catcher, and did not go any higher than the batter’s head. A foul tip before two strikes is not an out. Overthrow Rule: (Anytime a thrown ball goes out of bounds) 2 The runner shall receive the base he/she was in motion to plus an additional base from the time of the throw if a ball is thrown out of play. Obstruction: Obstruction is defined as the “act (intentional or unintentional, as well as physical or verbal) by a fielder, any member of the defensive team or its team personnel that hinder a runner or changes the pattern of play.” If obstruction occurs, the umpire shall have the authority to determine which base or bases shall be awarded to the runners when the play becomes dead. If the runner advances further then the official would have awarded and the runner is thrown out, the play will stand. Offensive Interferences: Interference is defined as the “act of an offensive player or team member which impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play.” Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field. A. Base running interference includes a runner or batter-runner who interferes with a fielder, a runner, or runner-batter who is hit by a fair, untouched batted ball or a thrown ball which strikes any illegal loose equipment, detached part of a uniform, or miscellaneous item left in playable territory by the offensive team. B. When a runner interferes with a fielder, it may be in the form of physical contact, verbal contact, visual distraction, or any other type of distraction that would hinder the fielder in the execution of a play. The umpire must determine if the interference occurred before or after the runner who interfered was put out and then apply the proper rule. C. It is also considered interference, if, in the judgment of the umpire, there is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play. In such a situation, the runner closest to home plate shall be called “out.” If an offensive player causes excessive contact with a defensive player, the offensive player is called “out.” However, PLAYERS MUST SLIDE INTO HOME PLATE ON CLOSE PLAYS. (This will be the only exception to the excessive contact rule.) The base runner cannot run over or through a fielder. The result is an automatic ejection from the game and suspension. If the base runner runs around a fielder and is put out, it is up to the discretion of the umpire to determine if the detour caused the runner to be put out. If the umpire feels that the runner would be safe if he/she did not have to run around the fielder, the base runner will be declared safe. Out of Play: Any ball that goes into foul territory beyond the out-of-play line or fence is considered “out of play.” If an overthrown ball at first or third goes beyond the out-of-play line or fence, the ball is deal and all runners advance according to the overthrow rule (listed above). A ball that goes into the dugout is considered out of play. When a fair-batted ball passes over the out-of-play line, the batter shall be entitled to only two (2) bases. Safety Base: The orange safety base that is attached to first base in foul territory is suggested for the runner to use to avoid collisions. Once first base is legally occupied, the orange base is nullified and is no longer considered “safe.” If a runner returns to the orange base after attempting to advance to second base and is tagged while only touching the orange base, he/she will be out.